Joe Tippmann NFL Draft Overview
Position: Center
Height: 6’-6”
Weight: 313 Pounds
School: Wisconsin
2023 NFL Draft Joe Tippmann Scouting Report
It takes a tremendous amount of respect as well as an elite level of play to win league MVP as a lineman, but in high school that’s just what Joe Tippmann accomplished. Tippmann decided to carry on playing his style of play in the physical Big Ten. Going to Wisconsin featured a few unexpected obstacles for him but he met them all head on. After coaches featured him at guard in just one game for eleven snaps, he was moved to center the following year. While this represented a challenge for Tippmann he would grab the bull by the horns.
With the Wisconsin staff anointing him as the starter in his second season, Joe Tippmann flourished as a center. He demonstrated an intricate knowledge of the game, identifying the mike linebacker on the defense with precision. Wisconsin fans soon found it easy to identify Tippmann on the field both pre and post snap as he was usually pancake blocking defenders downfield.
Through his time at Wisconsin, Joe Tippmann played almost 1,500 snaps and only surrendered one sack. When factoring in that he was changing positions to center this stat becomes that much more impressive. Tippmann has the strength to hold his own on the line as well as the athleticism to make a difference in space. When watching the tape he is not difficult to find, as he jumps off the film.
Strengths:
- Powers and counters are his forte, plays with an absolute violence in the run game;
- Gets to the second level with exceptional quickness and is always looking for work;
- Massive frame with an impressive vice grip, dominant hands;
- If he wins early in pass protection he does a great job of dropping the anchor letting nothing past him;
- He represents everything you want in an offensive lineman finishing blocks and playing through the whistle.
Weaknesses:
- Needs to be better in pass protection, lets defenders get their hands inside at times;
- His frame can leave him prone to having his pad level too high;
- Hand placement could be coached better, currently could be prone to holding penalties as he had six in 2022 alone;
- Has to do a better job of keeping his feet moving through contact, especially at the second level;
- Pass protection overall is his greatest weakness if he doesn’t win early and could be moved to guard if he becomes a liability.
NFL Comparison: Ethan Pocic
Teams With A Need: Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos
Projection: Second Round
Bottom Line:
Joe Tippmann may still be new to his position; however, he already plays like has years of experience at center. Clearly respected by his teammates and coaches he will be a great fit in whichever locker room he joins. Teams that draft Tippmann can expect to be getting a mauler at the position who has the versatility of playing multiple positions on the interior offensive line. He plays through the whistle and does his best work in the run game. Already demonstrating a coach-ability as well as knowledge of the game, coaches can be confident that no task put forth to him will be too big.
Main Image:
MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL via Imagn Content Services, LLC
